Buffalo Bills

NFL

October 9, 1991

THE ANKLE injury sustained by running back Thurman Thomas in Monday's 33-6 loss to host Kansas City doesn't appear serious. ''Thurman got stung on an ankle, which has been hurting for a few weeks, but it's subsided pretty quickly,'' coach Marv Levy said. ''He may miss a day or so of practice but what we hear from our trainers is that he should be OK.'' The status of defensive end Bruce Smith, who was held out of the game because of fluid on his knee, and nose tackle Jeff Wright (kneecap injury) remains uncertain.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

LINEBACKER KEVIN Walker will be lost to the winless team for the rest of the season because of a knee injury. Walker injured his right knee Sunday when he caught his cleats in the artificial turf at Riverfront Stadium during a 13-7 loss to Seattle. The injury initially was described as a severe sprain, but medical tests found a torn ligament that will require surgery. Eight-year veteran Leo Barker, who was cut during training camp and later reclaimed, will become the starter.

DENVER BRONCOS

THE TEAM made a trade, but it wasn't the much-talked about one involving holdout running back Bobby Humphrey. The Broncos acquired offensive lineman Harvey Salem from Detroit Lions for a 1992 third-round draft choice. But Tuesday's trading deadline passed with Humphrey still with the Broncos and with the sides still unable to agree on salary. ''We didn't trade him. He's still in the category of reserve-did not report,'' team spokesman Jim Saccomano said. ''So the only option that Bobby has is to stay out, or if he's going to play for anybody he has to play for us.''

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

JASON BUCK, former Cincinnati defensive end, was signed to replace injured defensive lineman Markus Koch. Buck, the Bengals' first-round draft choice in 1987, was cut by Cincinnati in training camp. He will report today. Koch, who sustained a partial tear of a ligament in his left knee in Sunday's 20-7 victory over Chicago, is expected to be out at least six weeks.